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Nexans technical conference presents a new start for overhead power lines

New technology can help meet the increasing global demand for power by enabling overhead power lines to work smarter and harder

Paris, December 9, 2013 – Overhead power lines are enjoying a "new start" thanks to recent innovations in design and materials technology that enables them to work both smarter and harder. That was the key message to emerge from today’s technical conference organized by Nexans to review how new technologies can address the global challenge of delivering more electrical power to support economic growth, especially in large urban areas.

Over 120 key stakeholders in electrical infrastructure systems, including utility companies, equipment manufacturers, consultants, academics and administrators were gathered at Paris’ Musée des arts et métiers to learn about the state-of-the-art in overhead line technology as well as innovations currently under development. Presentations by Nexans’ technical experts, as well as independent speakers, highlighted the importance of new conductor designs such as Nexans’ own Lo-Sag™ construction that enable overhead lines to operate reliably at higher temperatures to carry extra power.

Roundtable sessions during the conference focused on some of the emerging challenges for overhead line infrastructure including operation at higher voltages and the trend towards the replacement of AC (alternating current) lines by HVDC (high voltage direct current) transmission.

"The availability of electricity is a key driver for economic growth worldwide. However, the construction of new power routes in regions with high population density can present major challenges, both in land and equipment costs and the extended timescales required to obtain the necessary permits and rights of way. But as we have seen today, innovations in overhead line design offer exciting alternative approaches that enable more power to be delivered via existing routes", said Jean-Maxime Saugrain, Corporate Vice President Technical, Nexans. "Furthermore, when you consider that the new technology also offers increased reliability and availability, then we really are seeing a new start for overhead lines".

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About Nexans

With energy at the basis of its development, Nexans, worldwide expert in the cable industry, offers an extensive range of cables and cabling solutions. The Group is a global player in the energy transmission and distribution, industry and building markets. Nexans addresses a wide series of market segments: from energy and telecom networks to energy resources (wind turbines, photovoltaic, oil and gas, and mining) to transportation (shipbuilding, aerospace, automotive and automation, and railways). Nexans is a responsible industrial company that regards sustainable development as integral to its global and operational strategy. Continuous innovation in products, solutions and services, employee development and commitment, customer orientation and the introduction of safe industrial processes with limited environmental impact are among the key initiatives that place Nexans at the core of a sustainable future.
With an industrial presence in 40 countries and commercial activities worldwide, Nexans employs 25,000 people and had sales in 2012 of nearly 7.2 billion euros. Nexans is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris, compartment A.

Lo-Sag™ Technology in use

RTE, France’s electricity transmission system operator (TSO), is trialing a new type of overhead power line using Nexans’ carbon fibre composite technolog.